A 52-year-old fisherman is missing after he allegedly fell off a pump boat in the seawaters off Barangay Daug, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, October 12.
The police identified the missing man as Elino Anunsawon Sr., a resident of Purok 3, Barangay Culipapa, Hinoba-an.
Relatives of the victim reported the incident to the Hinoba-an Police Station on Thursday, October 16, after several days of unsuccessful search attempts.
Anunsawon and the pump boat operator went to Bolila Island in Brgy. Asia earlier that day to repair their boat’s outrigger, the police said.
After the repair, the two reportedly engaged in a drinking session before heading home around 7 p.m., the police said.
While on their way back to Barangay Culipapa, the operator said Anunsawon, who was lying in the front section of the boat, allegedly intoxicated, turned to his side and accidentally fell into the sea.
The operator immediately maneuvered the vessel to rescue him but failed to locate the victim.
He later informed the victim’s relatives and barangay officials, who sought help from the Philippine Coast Guard.
A search and retrieval operation was then launched.
Authorities and Coast Guard personnel continue to scour nearby waters in hopes of recovering the missing fisherman.*